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The short answer

Most U.S.–Mexico loads need a commercial invoice, a packing list, a bill of lading and the customs declaration the Mexican customs broker files, called the pedimento. Add USMCA certification data when a preference is claimed, permits or NOM evidence for regulated goods, U.S. export or import filings, and the Carta Porte for the move inside Mexico. The documents must agree with each other on parties, goods, quantities, weights and values.

This page is part of the U.S.–Mexico Freight Shipping Guide. For documents on domestic loads, see the packing list checklist and the bill of lading checklist.

How the documents move

The commercial documents go to the customs brokers first, not to the driver. The Mexican broker uses them to prepare the pedimento; on northbound freight the U.S. broker uses them for the entry. The carrier carries or transmits only the references it is told to. When a document changes after dispatch, the broker's filing may have to change too.

The core documents

Commercial invoice

The invoice is central to valuation and product identification. U.S. government guidance on Mexico lists a commercial invoice in Spanish as part of the import file. Ask the Mexican broker whether a bilingual invoice or a translation is acceptable. Use a real product description, not "parts".

Packing list

The packing list reconciles what is on the truck with the invoice: package counts, packaging, weights, dimensions and marks. The two must not disagree on quantities or identity of the goods.

Bill of lading

The bill of lading records the freight tendered to the carrier. A cross-border move may add references from the drayage carrier or the Mexican carrier; keep them tied to the original.

Pedimento

The pedimento is Mexico's formal customs declaration for commercial imports and exports. It carries the goods, value, origin, customs office, customs regime and compliance with non-tariff regulations. It is filed through a licensed Mexican customs broker (agente aduanal) or other authorized representative, and the importer must be listed in Mexico's Padrón de Importadores.

USMCA certification of origin

There is no prescribed form. A certification can appear on the invoice or another document if it contains the nine minimum data elements, and it may be made by the importer, exporter or producer. Shipping from a U.S. or Mexican warehouse does not make goods originating. See USMCA and U.S.–Mexico freight.

U.S. export filing

Southbound, Electronic Export Information is generally filed in AES when a single Schedule B classification is valued over $2,500, or when a licence or other mandatory rule applies. Your forwarder or export filer handles it.

Product-specific documents

Depending on the goods, add: NOM compliance evidence, Mexican permits or sector registrations, sanitary or phytosanitary certificates, FDA, USDA, EPA or other U.S. agency data on northbound freight, temporary import documents, vehicle documents, hazmat papers, serial numbers or technical specifications. The correct list comes from the commodity and the customs entry, not from a general truckload checklist.

Carta Porte for the move inside Mexico

SAT requires a CFDI with the Carta Porte complement for qualifying movement of goods in Mexican territory, and it applies to foreign-trade moves. The version in force when this page was checked is 3.1, required since 17 July 2024. The complement carries origin, destination, goods, vehicle and customs-regime data, so a late change to the goods, the trailer or the stops can become a paperwork change. Confirm with the Mexican carrier or broker who issues it for your operation.

What changes the packet

  • The direction of the move: southbound needs the U.S. export filing and a Mexican import pedimento; northbound needs a Mexican export pedimento and a U.S. entry
  • Regulated goods that need permits, NOMs or agency data
  • A claimed USMCA preference
  • Temporary imports, returns or repairs, which use different customs regimes
  • A transload, which adds new trailer and seal references

Common failure points

  • The invoice says "equipment", the packing list lists part numbers and the bill of lading says "machinery".
  • Weights differ between the packing list and the bill of lading.
  • The broker receives a draft invoice and the truck carries the final one.
  • Country of origin is left blank or assumed from the pickup location.

Consistency check before dispatch

  • Seller or exporter name and address
  • Buyer or importer name and address
  • Ship-from and ship-to
  • Commodity description and part or SKU numbers
  • Quantities and package counts
  • Gross and net weight
  • Values and currency
  • Country of origin
  • Tariff classification the brokers are using
  • Trailer and seal numbers when required

Common questions

Is a packing list the same as a commercial invoice?

No. They overlap, but the invoice supports valuation and the packing list supports the physical count. One does not replace the other.

Does the truck driver prepare the pedimento?

No. The pedimento is filed through the Mexican customs broker for the importer or exporter. The driver carries the references.

Can an old NAFTA certificate still be used?

No. USMCA replaced NAFTA for preferential claims, and it uses minimum data elements rather than the old NAFTA form.

What does FCC need, compared with the customs brokers?

For a transportation quote we need the lane, dates, commodity, pieces, dimensions, weight, equipment and handling. The brokers need far more. Do not treat the freight quote form as the customs file.

Quote the truck while the paperwork is prepared

Send the freight details now; the transportation price does not have to wait for the customs file.

Request a Freight Quote

Official sources

Last verified: 27 September 2026 against the official sources listed.